High-risk drivers would be asked to pay more when they retake driving courses, according to an amendment the Ministry of Transportation and Communications proposed yesterday.
The proposed amendment to Regulations for Reapplying for a Driving Test After Receiving a Lifetime Ban (受終身不得考領駕駛執照處分重新申請考驗辦法) would stipulate that drivers take courses such as ethics, traffic regulations, defensive driving, handling and prevention of traffic accidents, and vehicle maintenance before taking a license test.
The fee for a 12-hour course for a motorcycle license would increase to NT$2,400 from NT$1,800.
Photo: George Tsorng, Taipei Times
The fee for an 18-hour course for a car license would rise to NT$3,600 from NT$2,500.
The Highway Bureau is to determine the fees for other types of courses.
The pricing scheme for the courses have not been adjusted for 18 years, Department of Public Transportation and Supervision specialist Michael Chao (趙晉緯) said.
High-risk drivers are defined as those whose driver’s license has been revoked or who are permanently banned from obtaining a license for causing traffic accidents leading to injuries or deaths, Chao said.
On average, 90 percent of high-risk drivers who apply to retake the license test are car drivers and 10 percent are motorcycle riders, Chao said.
“The ministry determined the new pricing scheme for driving courses after considering that the nation has adjusted the minimum wage and the consumer price index several times,” Chao said. “The amendment is subject to a public viewing period of 60 days and could take effect by the end of this year if there is no appeal.”
As the Constitutional Court had ruled that regulations imposing a permanent license ban on drivers were unconstitutional, the ministry added Article 67-1 to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act (道路交通管理處罰條例) to ensure that the act is in line with the judgement, Chao said.
The article stipulates that drivers under certain conditions can apply to retake the driving license test once their ban ends, including those whose license is revoked for more than 12 years after a fatal accident, 10 years after an accident that has resulted in severe injuries, and more than eight years after an accident that has resulted in injuries.
Drivers may retake the license test if they do not contravene traffic regulations during the period their license is revoked, but it would only be valid for one year.
After one year, they would be given a license that is valid until they turn 75 with the condition that they do not have their license suspended or revoked in the following six years.
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